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Tuesday, January 22, 2019

The biggest tree in the world

Only 5 kms (3 miles) down the road from the campground is the town of Santa Maria del Tule where the largest tree in the world is located. Not the tallest... the largest. To be more specific, the largest diameter of the trunk.

So yesterday morning, we got the group down to the main highway and flagged some taxis to take us to the central plaza where the tree is located.

Obviously, lots of tourists come to Tule to see the tree. So the plaza is really pretty and lots of flowers and greenery.

  
The church is very pretty.

There's the Tule tree.

The tree is a montezuma cypress.  They say it is between 2,000 and 2,500 years old. Scientists used to think it was several trees that grew into one, but they have done DNA analysis and now they are convinced this is just one tree.

The diameter of the trunk is 166 feet! 
They say it is still growing!

Looking up!

We needed to find an ATM, but the one by the municipal plaza had yellow warning tape at the entrance... closed. We found another one, and I went into use it but the screen was totally blank! So we set off with Bob and Denise walking just over a kilometer each way.

We walked on the bicycle path.
This path goes all the way into the city of Oaxaca and was completed in 2017.

The third ATM worked fine, and we turned around and walked the 6 kms (3.6 miles) or so back to the campground.

Relaxed for the afternoon.

We like it here at Oaxaca Campground. Our hosts Kate (originally from Ontario) and Del (originally from Michigan) are really helpful and knowledgeable about the area.

And, the group says Oaxaca Campground gets the award so far for best campground showers in Mexico! Loads of hot water, and big rainfall style shower heads!

Sherman, dry camping at Oaxaca Campground.
Sherman likes his space!

The rest of the crew.
Except for Garth, he also likes his space!

Interesting clouds.

Happy hour!

Nice sunset at the campground.

Today is another rest day, but again we are taking some time to do a morning hike. Tomorrow (Wednesday) we have a long drive down to the coast. We have been in Mexico for over 7 weeks and this will be our first view of the ocean!

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K-Cup Coffee Pods... on deal of the day today. Works out to about 25 cents each. Go to Subscribe and Save and there is also a 20% off coupon showing!


And in Canada...


15 comments:

  1. I enjoy following your travels, didn’t know the largest tree in the world is located here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now you know!

      We are glad that you are enjoying our adventures. :-)

      Delete
  2. Interesting to note I was just there last week, and there were no banners emanating from the church. I wonder what they signify...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am afraid that we can't give you an answer to your question, we aren't aren't sure either.

      Delete
  3. The weather looks nice too. You gotta love the Mexican winters! Says the guy who just finished shoving 8" of snow off his driveway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The weather has been fantastic. Beautiful during the day and cool at night but now that we are down at the beach, it is just going to be HOT! We will take that over snow any day though. ;-) Looks like you need to book a trip south!

      Delete
  4. Massive tree. Hard to believe it's all one.
    Some interesting things you folks are seeing and doing. Keep on having fun and stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is an enormous tree! The pictures don't really do it justice because you can't get perspective without someone actually standing right beside it. Definitely a sight to see. :-)

      Delete
  5. Amazing tree story! So beautiful. And we always love your HAPPY HOUR pics. These are very important times! Have fun! We are currently in South West Florida visiting friends, then it’s off to the Keys.
    Scc&G

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Happy Hours are important! I think we have only missed one since the trip began, and that was only because it rained and we didn't have a covered area to sit under for protection.

      Enjoy the Keys, as least you are somewhere warm as well.

      Delete
  6. Dear Kevin and Ruth:
    It was a pleasure to host your visit at the Oaxaca Campground. So pleased to know we met your expectations. I am so sorry I could not join you Tuesday nigh or see you off this morning. This bug has really taken the wind out of my sails. Please give my best to everyone. Safe travels! Del

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are so sorry that you were under the weather for the lovely spread that you and Kate put out for us. We hope you are starting to feel better now.

      The campground was lovely and everyone really enjoyed their time there. We wished we had more time because we didn't get to see half the stuff that we would love to have seen and shown to the rest of the group, I guess that will just have to wait for another visit.

      Thank you once again for being such fantastic hosts and adding to our wonderful experiences here in Mexico.

      Delete

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